Queen Victoria agave Agave victoriae-reginae
Queen Victoria agave (Agave victoriae-reginae) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Asparagaceae family, native to Limestone canyons of the Chihuahuan Desert, north-east Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León, Durango). It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
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Queen Victoria agave at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature height | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 44 °C (111 °F) |
| Flowering | about 1043–1564 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Limestone canyons of the Chihuahuan Desert, north-east Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León, Durango) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Queen Victoria agave toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: sap, leaf tips
The sap contains calcium oxalate crystals and saponins that cause a burning rash on skin; the leaf tips are sharp.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Queen Victoria agave
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Queen Victoria agave
- How far apart should I plant Queen Victoria agave?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Queen Victoria agave need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Queen Victoria agave need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Queen Victoria agave?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Queen Victoria agave flower?
- About 1043–1564 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks.
- Is Queen Victoria agave poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. The sap contains calcium oxalate crystals and saponins that cause a burning rash on skin; the leaf tips are sharp.
- What grows well with Queen Victoria agave?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Queen Victoria agave. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- A tight, perfect globe of stiff dark green leaves edged with white lines, each tipped with a short black spine; one of the most admired small agaves. Very slow: it may take 20–30 years to flower, then the rosette dies. Endangered in the wild by collecting; buy nursery-raised plants.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
- Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
- Grape hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
- Common bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- Tuberose Agave amica (Polianthes tuberosa)
- Century plant (agave) Agave americana